Air compressors are used to power most powerful tools that are used industrially and in the household. These are crucial components of many working systems, so trouble arising can have serious consequences for your business. To understand what kinds of problems your air compressor might be experiencing, it is important to first know how the mechanism works.
Although there are many different types of air compressors available, the main operating features are the same. They essentially work by building up air pressure within an enclosed chamber and then releasing the pressure to use the energy it generates to cause movement in parts of machinery. During this process, many problems can occur. Here are some that you can anticipate:
Compressor is failing to retain air pressure
One of the biggest problems that can occur is that the air compressor fails to work at capacity. This happens if there isn’t enough air pressure building up inside the container for air. This can result in the compressor not pushing out the amount of air required to drive machinery.
There are a few different reasons this can happen. The most common one is that your compressor has been running for too long and needs to be replaced. It can mean that the valves that shut off to create a vacuum have leaks or have gotten loose. It could also mean that the pressure switch is set at the wrong level and the cut-in level is set too low.
Compressor is overheating
The air released by your compressor should not have a high temperature. This indicates a problem with the air compressor filter, one of the parts of an air compressor. If your air suction filter is blocked with buildup of dust and debris, it can cause the discharged air to overheat. An old and damaged valve, as well as dirty intercooler tubes, can result in the same problem. To solve this issue, first clean out your air filter and intercooler tubes. The ventilation of the room itself may be poor, in which case your compressor would have to be moved to a location with better air flow.
Compressor is not turning on
This problem can be caused by a wide variety of things, and so it may be difficult to pinpoint. Some of the common reasons behind this are electrical rather than mechanical. If your compressor is not turning on, the first thing to do is to reset it. If this does not fix it, that can mean that the problem is caused by low levels of oil in your machinery. Your oil level needs to be checked and replaced or replenished. It may also mean that your unloader valve needs to be replaced. Another reason this could be happening is if there is a loose connection and your pressure switch is not working.
There are many other problems that can occur to your air compressor, especially if it has been running for a long time now. It is important to carry out regular maintenance to avoid these problems.
